Learn English grammar using Mind Maps

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When I was a student of the English language and literature I found it very confusing and difficult to learn (usually by heart) the use of the two verbs: MAKE or DO. We were given lists and handouts and were expected to learn everything… So, was it boring? – – – The answer is: YES!!!!!

Mind Map: Do or Make

In recent years, I’ve been trying to make it simpler or (I hope) a bit more interesting and eye-catching both for my students and me. Does our brain like lists without pictures? The answer is: —– NO!!! In the vocabulary mind map above you can enjoy yourselves looking at the drawings and your brain will memorize more quickly and more eagerly the use of the two verbs. Continue reading →

One can easily get confused when it comes to expressing futurity in English, for there are so many rules to follow. To make things easier for English learners, we have created a new mind map, thus summarizing four basic ways to explain which tenses are used to express future events and concepts. (Note: we assume that the learner has already acquired the basic knowledge of English tenses, i.e. Present Simple, Present Continuous…) So, we are not focusing on the form now, but only on the use of English tenses or modals to express futurity.

Grammar_mind_map_for_future_tense

Let’s look at the blue branch first (will). Many students learn this modality first when they are taught Future and presuppose that they can always use it when they wish to convey ideas concerning the future. But they are wrong. We can use will mostly in the following cases:
• When we promise to do something (The scout in the picture says: “On my honor, I promise that I will do my best”)
• When we make a resolution (e.g. I will work hard at school this year.)
• When we decide to do something at the time of speaking, when we make spontaneous decisions – the most important rule about the use of will! (e.g. I forgot to phone Jim. I will phone him now.)
• When we haven’t planned anything in advance (e.g. It’s getting cold. I’ll take a taxi.)
• When we volunteer to do something (e.g. This room looks so dirty. I’ll help you tidy it). Continue reading →

The first idea that came to my mind when I was developing the map was to draw a really eye-catching symbol in the central position so that it can easily be associated with the tense given. Why Superman? The initial S is a really distinctive feature of the Present Simple Tense, since it is added to the verb used with the third person singular. In particular, English-learners will often forget to add –s when they use the Present Simple. The central drawing is here to remind the visual types of learners not to forget the most specific fact concerning the grammatical form.

Have you ever ridden a horse? Have you ever seen a chinchilla? Have you ever eaten caviar?

And, most importantly: Have you ever been confused about the Present Perfect Tense? If you have, now is the perfect moment to clear things up!

Before we start, pay attention to C4040-121 the tense used above – the Present Perfect itself!

Now, have a look at the enthusiastic scientist who is working hard in his laboratory. What do you think he is doing? Well, a very important thing, obviously. He is making things easier for you, mixing two ingredients – the present tense and the past tense, forming a completely new blend – the PRESENT PERFECT TENSE! Try to memorize the picture, since it is actually the basis of the Present Perfect, which represents a mixture of the past and the present… And not only that.

Don’t get discouraged when you see the panic-stricken face of the man with the question mark in the mind map! He is terrified at the thought of not knowing which article to use with the apple he is looking at. The bad news is: there are many rules! The good news is: you can print the mind map and stick it on your wall so that you can adopt the rules little by little! Anyway, let’s get introduced to the articles! Continue reading →

So, what do you think? Which animal is faster, the rabbit or the turtle? Common sense says the rabbit, but one fable says differently… Nevertheless, let us focus on some adjective forms here… (if you have forgotten what adjectives are, here are some examples: tall, beautiful, clean, clever, etc.)

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Total Taxi, mind map

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